Badminton has a cosmopolitan history. The rules of the modern game were developed in England, but it is now Asian countries that dominate the sport.

Badminton House

Badminton takes its name from Badminton House - home of the Duke of Beaufort in the English county of Gloucestershire. In 1873, the Duke is credited with bringing a version of the game – Poona - back from India and introducing it to his guests.

Getting organised

The sport quickly grew in popularity and in 1877 the first set of written rules were devised by the newly formed Bath Badminton Club. The Badminton Federation of England was created 16 years later and in 1899 it organised the first All England Championships.

Olympic history

Badminton made its debut as a demonstration sport at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. It was not until the 1992 Games in Barcelona that it was officially included on the Olympic programme, with men’s and women’s singles and doubles events. The mixed doubles event made its debut in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Since then, the number of events has remained unchanged.

Although the creation of modern badminton is attributed to England, it is Asia that now dominates this sport. Between 1992 and 2008, Asian countries won 69 of the 76 medals available in Olympic competition! The dominant countries are China, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea, followed by Great Britain and Denmark.

Gallery

Buenos Aires 2018 - Badminton - Women’s Singles

Jin Wei Goh of Malaysia in action during the Badminton Women's singles on Day 6 of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the Badminton Arena, Tecnopolis Park on October 12, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Buenos Aires 2018 - Badminton - Relay Team Event

Lukas Resch of Germany in action during the Badminton Relay Team event on Day 6 of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the Badminton Arena, Tecnopolis Park on October 12, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Buenos Aires 2018 - Badminton - Men’s Singles

Shifeng Li of People's Republic of China in action during the Badminton Men's singles on Day 6 of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games at the Badminton Arena, Tecnopolis Park on October 12, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Badminton - Men's Singles

Dan Lin of People's Republic of China competes against Viktor Axelson of Denmark during the Men's Singles Badminton Bronze Medal match on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro - Pavilion 4 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Badminton - Men's Singles

Long Chen of People's Republic of China competes against Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia during the Men's Singles Badminton Gold Medal match on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro - Pavilion 4 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Badminton - Men's Singles

Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia competes against Long Chen of China during the Men's Singles Badminton Gold Medal match on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro - Pavilion 4 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.